This deployment signifies the first commercial operation of driverless heavy-duty trucks on public roads in the United States. Aurora plans to expand its driverless operations to include routes to El Paso, Texas, and Phoenix, Arizona, by the end of 2025.

With this pilot, Volvo hopes to earn “regulatory and public trust and acceptance of autonomous technologies”.

The company has raised USD 483 million by creating an additional 134,166,667 shares of its Class A common stock at USD 3.60 per share. These funds will help the company continually develop and bring to market its level 4 autonomous truck driving software (Aurora Driver).

There was plenty to report from the 2024 edition of the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo held at the Las Vegas Convention Center between May 20-23.

Volvo on Demand is the company’s own interpretation of the ‘Truck-as-a-Service’ concept, providing the customer with everything he needs to operate an electric vehicle.

Aurora shared progress on the upcoming commercial launch of its level 4 autonomous truck driving software (Aurora Driver) and for the very first time, publicly displayed the Aurora Driver in a Volvo VNL truck (without a driver), navigating different driving and safety scenarios on a closed circuit track. 

Continental will build initial versions of the hardware as well as test, prototype and validate Aurora’s technology before it starts production at its facility in New Braunfels, Texas, USA.

The company opened its first lane for driverless trucks connecting Houston and Dallas, Texas. This is supported by its commercial vehicle trucking terminal launched in Palmer (South Texas) earlier this year.

Both companies will be making Class 8 electric trucks using fuel cell drive systems developed by Japanese firm Toyota, with Kenworth aiming to begin customer deliveries next year.

Continental has agreed to provide the hardware for future iterations of the Aurora Driving Software (Aurora Driver), starting in 2027, dubbed as a “hardware-as-a-service” business relationship between the two companies.

The terminal deploys autonomous trucks transporting freight from Dallas to Houston (and vice versa) for its pilot customers which include FedEx and Uber freight.

She joins the company at a critical time as it prepares for the commercial launch next year